Travel Nurses Give Thanks

Give Thanks - Travel Nurses Give ThanksIf you are working over Thanksgiving this year, being thankful for your job as a travel nurse may not be right at the tip of your tongue. But it’s an attitude of gratitude that will carry you through and will also rub off positivity on your patients and everyone else you meet. It may sound a little PollyAnna-ish, but you know it’s true. So let’s look over a few reasons that should make travel nurses give thanks over this Holiday weekend.

Travel nursing allows you to make a major positive impact.

This impact stretches from the patient in 1143 to his or her family, the hospital, and ultimately the overall healthcare system. You should be thankful that you work in a profession that really allows you to roll your scrub sleeves up and make a difference in people’s lives. As a dedicated nurse you know that even in a tragic situation your bedside manner and support can offer comfort that makes a lasting impact on a patient and often an entire family. As a travel nurse, you go where you are most needed, thus helping the entire healthcare system work more smoothly.

Working as a travel nurse lets you spend Thanksgiving in a potentially exotic locale.

Maybe you’re in Hawaii! Or maybe it’s more like Fargo this year. Wherever you are this year, be sure to give thanks for the amazing opportunity you have to take the chance to see the world. You get to spend the holiday in a new city every year if you want. Make sure to be thankful for all the amazing sights, sounds, local cultures, and more that you have seen and that you have to look forward to seeing through your career as a travel nurse.

And it’s a pretty good living at that!

In these uncertain economic times, it’s pretty great that you are able to do what you love and make a really great wage doing it. Not everybody can say they have such flexible, interesting, and lucrative work as travel nurses do.

You’ve got your health.

You may spend a lot of time in the hospital, but at least it’s not for the reasons your patients are there. You are close enough to know how truly devastating a major health issue can be for a patient and their family. It’s good to take a moment to step back and thank your lucky stars that you are not on the receiving end of the patient care. Being thankful for something we can so easily take for granted — such as good health — is what gratitude is all about.

Of course there are so many more than three reason that travel nurses give thanks for what they do. What are you thankful for this holiday season? Share your gratitude in the comments.

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TNC’s Best of Travel Nursing 2013

As 2013 nears its conclusion, Travel Nursing Central is back with our TNC’s “Best of Travel Nursing 2013.” These annual rankings report on the best hospitals for travel nurses and the best travel nurse agencies, based upon information collected by visitors to Travel Nursing Central.

Check out this handy infographic to see the hospital and agency rankings as well as a cool survey on why nurses decide to travel and a few other travel nurse websites and online communities we think you might find helpful.

We hope TNC’s Best of Travel Nursing 2013 is helpful to travel nurses and any aspiring travelers. Happy traveling, all!

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Travel Nurses Day

Binoculars Lady - Travel Nurses Day

What’s that?! Travel Nurses Day is coming!

If you ever thought that travel nurses should have their own holiday, you are in luck! This upcoming Friday, October 11, 2013, will be the first annual Travel Nurses Day.

Visit TravelNursesDay.com where you can play games for the chance to win one of 15 $50 gift card prizes from Zappos, Starbucks, and Spa Finder. The contests are going on now through Travel Nurses Day and games include Pictograms, Anagram Puzzles, and Photo Observations. There is also a $250 grand prize gift card to Scrubadoo for winning the raffle.

Medical Solutions decided to launch the holiday in order to celebrate the uniqueness of the field and honor travel nurses. According to their blog, Travel nurses are the pinch hitters of the healthcare field. And when you arrive on a job we know that you always swing for the fences. You are always there to make sure that patient care never suffers in the face of personnel shortages or permanent staff burnout. You exude positivity and manage to continuously remain flexible in all kinds of new facilities and unfamiliar terrain, ready to jump in and help at a moment’s notice. For these reasons and so many more, we are so thankful for you.

Sounds pretty much like the travel nurses I know. So, Happy (almost) Travel Nurses Day — enjoy!

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Recruiter of the Year 2013 Nominations Are Now Open

Trophy Holla - Recruiter of the Year 2013 Nominations Are Now OpenHealthcare Traveler magazine is once again hosting its annual Recruiter of the Year contest. Recruiter of the Year 2013 nominations are now open now and will continue through October 7, 2013.

Every travel nurse knows that having an amazing recruiter is a major part of having a successful career in the travel nurse industry. A good recruiter goes out of their way to make sure that their nurses’ needs are met ahead of and throughout all of a nurse’s assignments. A good recruiter is reputable and honest in all of their dealings with their nurses. A good recruiter always gets back to you right away.

At Travel Nursing Central we are always saying that the best advice we can give a travel nurse is to find a recruiter that they trust and who is a good fit for them. It’s best to find a recruiter that’s almost like a friend — someone who will take the time to get to know you and as a result has a better understanding of what you need out of jobs and locations. Once you have a trusted recruiter, the jobs tend to fall into place much more easily.

For someone so important to you professionally, it’s nice to recognize them for all that they do! Here are the full official rules for Recruiter of the Year nominations:

  • To qualify, nominees must currently be employed in a professional placement capacity at a travel staffing agency or travel division.
  • Voting travelers must have worked with the nominated recruiter during 2013. Mobile professionals’ employment history will be verified.
  • Recruiters need not be licensed healthcare providers.
  • Only one nomination per traveler will be accepted.
  • Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
  • Entries received after October 7, 2013, may not be counted.

If you have a great recruiter, visit the nomination form here. It only takes a couple moments to nominate your recruiter.

 

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Travel Nurse Tips: 5 Ways to Travel Light

6 Travel Nurse Qualities - Travel Nurse Tips: 5 Ways to Travel LightThere’s an old saying that goes something to the effect of: There are two types of travelers, those who travel light and those who wish they had. Travel nurses are usually going somewhere for 13 weeks, so it’s a bit different than a vacationer, but the principle is still the same. Here are some travel nurse tips: 5 ways to travel light:

1.   Research your destination.

Rather than throwing in an outfit for every possible weather pattern, research your destination’s general weather and also search the weather predictions for the time you’ll be there. Most travel contracts are 13 weeks, so it’s likely you can’t get an iron-clad forecast. But, you should be able to look at some trends and get a general idea of what to expect. Similarly, consider usage for everything you pack. Will you be walking a lot? Bring comfortable shoes and leave the heels behind, or, if you must, bring one small pair.

2.   Use a smaller bag.

The larger the bag, the more stuff you can put in it. It’s the same philosophy used by diet gurus who recommend smaller plates: The larger the space, the more likely we are to fill it. But we make do just fine with smaller spaces when that’s what we have. The smaller the bag, the less you will pack — and you won’t miss the extra stuff.

3.   Pack strategically.

This can actually be a really fun challenge. See how efficiently you can pack your belongings. You’ll be surprised the space you can save when you really try. Make like Tetris and have some fun with it!

4.   Pack clothing that can all be paired together.

Pack clothing items that can be easily repurposed into several outfits. In other words, items that can all go together in different combinations. This doesn’t mean you have to be destined to a suitcase full of beiges and blacks. You will want to bring mainly solid colored items, but definitely throw in a few fun accents that you can pair with the neutrals. Maybe a plaid skirt, paisley shoes, or a funky yellow bracelet. The idea is to maintain something that can really show off your personality while also bringing mainly versatile items. Just don’t bring, for example, a skirt that only goes with one specific shirt.

5.   Wear you bulkiest items.

This suggestion helps in two ways. One, wearing your bulky boots or coat will save space in your bag. One coat could legitimately take up your entire carry-on! Two, when you have to actually put these items on your back it’s easier to determine if you really need to take them along or if they could be left behind.

And remember, most everything can be purchased and/or replaced if you leave it behind and then turn out to need it at some point. Don’t sweat these easily replaced items. Make sure you have the essentials: ID, wallet with debit/credit cards, medications — and you’ll be golden!

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Travel Nursing 101: Hospital Interviews

Lady on Phone - Travel Nursing 101: Hospital InterviewsDoing a hospital interview for a travel nursing position can be a mixed bag, depending upon your mindset going into it. Most people get at least a little nervous going into such an interview, which is totally natural. But you want to also remember that the interview is not just for the hospital to decide if they want you, but also for you to determine if you would be happy working at that location. Here to help you is this Travel Nursing 101: Hospital Interviews.

Of course you are interested in the position, or you wouldn’t be interviewing for it, but you want to be very sure to ask a lot of questions so that you can get a really clear idea of the hospital’s strengths and weaknesses, qualities and quirks.

You will want to ask a lot of details about the hospital, including: safety and traffic in the area surrounding the facility, the size of the hospital and the unit you’d be working in, patient population, parking options, dress code, and more. Make sure to record the interviewer name and notice the type of rapport you have with them — this person is a representative of the hospital so you may be able to glean some information on the general climate of attitude based upon how he or she conducts the interview.

You will also want to ask about staffing and what will be expected and required of you, as well as what to expect from the work environment there. It’s always good to ask very specific questions to get exactly the information you want, but at the end of the interview, ask a more open-ended question, like: “Is there anything else you’d want a nurse to know about the facility or their role as temporary staff?” Doing this opens things up and you’ll be surprised by the good info you might get from this type of question.

Click here for our “Hospital Interview Questions for Travel Nurse” from our Travel Nurse Resource section, which includes several handy checklists for travel nurses. There are also a couple of helpful links, such as other travelers’ ranking of hospitals and a link to U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Hospitals rankings.

Good luck with your interview — we hope you find a hospital that is complementary to your skills and attitude!

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Travel Nurse Blog Round-up!

Travel nurses get to experience all kinds of climates, but chances are likely that wherever you are right now it is H-O-T! Cool off from the dog days of July with this month’s travel nurse blog round-up.

Travel Nursing 101: A Solid Contract

Amanda West - Travel Nurse Blog Round-up!By Amanda, Travel Nursing Blogs, June 28, 2013

Let’s talk about your assignment contract! This is the single most important document of your travel nurse assignment. It’s ironclad and often non-negotiable. You and your recruiter will discuss requested time off, overtime, etc. But, if you remember nothing else, remember that if it is not in your contract, it does not exist! In the best-case scenario, your recruiter will thoroughly explain everything your contract should have in it in order to make your assignment smooth and hassle-free.

Read more…

16 Interesting Facts About Nursing Around the World — Infographic

scrubs.logo .web  - Travel Nurse Blog Round-up!By Scrubs Mag, July 15, 2013

Just as there are different cultural mores and taboos across the globe, nurses conduct themselves differently from one country to another. Some of these practices may even shock you! Here are some little known facts about nursing around the world.

Read more…

Sample Nursing Skills Checklist

Kyle - Travel Nurse Blog Round-up!By Kyle, Blue Pipes Blog

Skills checklists are self assessment tools utilized by healthcare employers and healthcare professionals for gauging a healthcare professional’s skill set within a particular healthcare specialty. Healthcare employers often require potential job candidates and new-hires to complete them. They are a standard requirement for employment with travel nursing agencies and healthcare staffing agencies of all types. Skills checklists can also be very useful for healthcare professionals interested in determining their own expertise within their healthcare specialty, for identifying areas of future career growth, and for getting an edge in the hiring process.

Read more…

Talking Taxes: Your Mailing Address and State Revenue Agencies

TheGypsyNurse 86 6001 - Travel Nurse Blog Round-up!By Joe from TravelTax, Gypsy Nurse, July 18, 2013

As a travel nurse mobilizes from assignment to assignment, they will occasionally have mail sent directly to one of the temporary mailing addresses instead if having it forwarded from the main mailing address. While this may be convenient, it is a recipe for trouble on the tax end In our practice, we have see the following scenarios that travelers should be aware of.

Read more…

Help us add to this travel nurse blog round-up: What great travel nurse blogs have you read lately? Let us know in the comments!

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Top Travel Nurse Companies

Question Man - Top Travel Nurse CompaniesWe have gotten a lot of questions lately from travel nurses or prospective travel nurses asking what company is the best. Companies have different strengths, but the number one things you can do is find a recruiter who understands you as an individual and also gets what your needs are professionally. When you understand how important this is it becomes more about the recruiter than the company — although some companies certainly foster better environments than others. The right recruiter within a company that recognizes you as an individual and not just a number should your advocate in all situations and should work towards your career goals alongside you.

Also remember that many travelers will have been working with 2-3 agencies to increase their odds of the right placement. So how can you choose the right company or companies to go with? Forums and rankings are good ways to dip your toe if you have yet to sign on anywhere.

We also have a lot of great resources here on this website such as the rankings of Top 10 Travel Nurse Companies for 2013 and the Travel Nurse Agency Ranking Results.

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Travelers Conference 2013

1044669 611289382228283 176770603 n1 - Travelers Conference 2013Early warning for the Travelers Conference 2013 (the sixth annual) October 28-29, 2013, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is an opportunity for healthcare travel professionals to get together, network, and learn more about the industry through some of the panels, presentations, and roundtables. The networking and social aspects of the conference are also a really valuable experience.

If you haven’t heard of the Traveler’s Conference here’s some more info: According to its website, “The Travelers Conference is held annually and has grown into the largest single gathering of healthcare travelers in the United States. Organized by volunteers who are themselves current or former travelers, the sole purpose of this event is to provide a relaxed setting that gives travelers an opportunity to network with other travelers and industry insiders, earn some excellent CEUs, meet agency representatives in a relaxed, low-pressure setting, and just plain enjoy a tax-deductible Vegas trip.”

Some of the presentation topics this year are, “Apples to Apples: Choosing the Right Company,” “Contract Negotiation: The Nuts & Bolts,” “How is the Money Allocated? Travelers Want to Know,” “Travel Healthcare Industry Update,” “Housing: Know All of Your Options,” “Licensing and Record Management: Keeping Track of All Those Documents,” “Hawaii! How to Succeed at this Top Destination,” and more.

This year’s speakers include Reon Schutte, Joseph Smith, Gene Scott, Epstein LaRue, David Barse, Cynthia Kinnas, Melanie Theriac, Joanie Reneer, Todd Livingston, Lisa Armstrong, and Phil Light. There will also be several get-togethers, including a luncheon, pre-party, happy hour, and more.

The Travelers Conference 2013 will be held at the newly remodeled Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel. Click here for full details on this year’s conference and to register. You can find Travelers Conference 2013 on Facebook here.

Has anyone been to the conference in previous years? What was your experience like?

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Best Travel Nursing Blogs

Celebrate Laptop - Best Travel Nursing BlogsWhat can make a blog valuable is its connection with a specific audience and ability to educate and entertain them on a subject of interest. A website called GuoTime — “Your guide to the fabulous land of niche bloggers” — makes it their business to seek out some of the best blogs out there to unite them with the readers who need them the most. This month they did a post on the “Best travel nursing blogs for traveling nurses and (aspiring) R.N.”

According to its site, GuoTime “is all about finding best niche blogs and experts who can address people’s problems and needs.” So for those actively interested in travel nursing, thinking about it as a possibility, or even those already working in the industry these suggestions of blogs and agency blogs are really helpful.

The best travel nursing blogs they decided on were Highway Hypodermics, The Gypsy Nurse, Travel Nursing Blogs, and The Nerdy Nurse. Each blog is detailed in terms of exactly why it is a great resource for prospective, curious, or working travel nurses. Highway Hypodermics is recognized as being highly authoritative and especially great for aspiring travel nurses. The Gypsy Nurse is described as a “community designed for people to excel and enjoy travel nursing jobs.” TravelNursingBlogs.com is explained as a great resource site with a variety of contributors who are “industry thought leaders.” The Nerdy Nurse is a social media pro who is “known for using technology to advocate the nursing profession that she loves.”

Among the best travel nursing agency blogs they chose, Medical Solutions, American Traveler, and TaleMed. The post also includes some stats about travel nursing, including some demographic info on travel nurses, and an infograph from The Nerdy Nurse about some of the top travel-friendly facilities out there.

Checking out these blogs will help you better navigate the world travel nursing. Happy reading!

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